国产主播 dental hygiene instructor Katie B.鈥檚 story is a full-circle testament to the power of community, education, and a passion for healthcare. After graduating from WCU鈥檚 Dental Hygiene program in 2014, Katie returned in 2017 鈥� not as a student but as a faculty member eager to give back to the next generation of dental professionals. 

鈥淏eing a student here, I really loved 国产主播, and I was eager to come back and continue what the faculty did for me,鈥� Katie said. 鈥淭hey provided me so much to make my dental career so lucrative and also just so fulfilling.鈥� 

Now a dedicated faculty member, Katie is helping students bridge the gap between the classroom and clinical practice. Her dual role as an educator and working clinician allows her to bring real-world experience into her teaching. She focuses on giving students practical tools and insights that help them transition smoothly into professional practice. Hearing from former students who feel confident and well-prepared in their new roles is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. 

鈥淚 like to work with students and give them real-life experience because I am still working clinically, so we work in a lot with tips and tricks and things to be able to move from clinical in school to clinical in private practice.鈥� 

Katie is also passionate about community service. One of the highlights of the dental hygiene program is the annual Smile Camp, where students provide no-cost dental cleanings, X-rays, and education to local children. For many students, this is their first hands-on experience working with pediatric patients. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible opportunity for them to apply everything they鈥檝e learned in a fun, supportive environment,鈥� Katie shared. 鈥淭he camp not only helps the community but also instills in students the importance of giving back through their profession.鈥� 

Katie encouraged prospective students to come ready to learn and embrace the fast-paced, hands-on approach at West Coast. With technologically advanced equipment, extensive faculty support, and a commitment to student success, West Coast Dental Hygiene stands out as a leader in preparing future hygienists.  

鈥淲hen you come to West Coast, we have every experience you could possibly imagine from technology to hands-on training,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur faculty are here full-time for you so we bring in the newest innovations that we can use with our students so when they go into private practice, they’re prepared.鈥� 

For Katie, the reward is simple: seeing her students thrive, just like she did. 

鈥淐oming back as faculty after being a student is giving what I was able to receive, so I hope that if one student can take away something that I’ve taught them into their real world — that is exactly what I’m here for,鈥� she said. 

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Another year, another fantastic Smile Camp hosted by our outstanding Dental Hygiene faculty and students at 国产主播-Orange County.

Providing Free Dental Care & Education

Held in celebration of Children鈥檚 Dental Health month, Smile Camp is a special event designed to provide local children with free dental services while educating them on the importance of good oral hygiene.

“Smile Camp is a community service event that the dental hygiene program puts on for students to work with children in our community. We do free cleanings and X-rays and even some sealants,” WCU dental hygiene instructor and BSDH alumna Katie B. shared.

The event also featured a dedicated education room where children could learn about oral hygiene in an engaging way.

鈥淲e take students after they’re seen with the dentist and the hygienist, and they go to another room, and they get a lot of education where they learn more about brushing and flossing,鈥� Katie explained. They just get a better understanding about food and diet and how that reacts with their teeth.”

A Valuable Learning Experience for WCU Students

Smile Camp is not only a rewarding experience for the children but also for the 国产主播 Dental Hygiene students who participate.

“We take all the applications that we’ve used and taught them for the last three or four terms, and we apply it today where they just focus on children,” Katie shared. ” It’s a great place because we have all the balloons and everything to make it so welcoming for everybody to come.”

For many students, Smile Camp offers their first real-world experience working with pediatric patients.

“The students get to use their skills, and while we apply a lot of our application on adults, they don’t get a lot of experience with children. So, this is a great opportunity for all the students to have some experience time with children,” Katie added.

A Strong Community Turnout

This year鈥檚 Smile Camp was a resounding success, with an overwhelming response from the community.

“Today, the feedback has been awesome. We’ve had such a turnout that we have people waiting in line, which is wonderful,鈥� Katie said. 鈥淭he students are so eager to keep working. They have scheduled times to be here, but so many are just over their scheduled time because they see the benefit of volunteering. Community is a huge part of dental hygiene.”

About the WCU Dental Hygiene Clinic

The impact of Smile Camp extends beyond a single event 鈥� 国产主播鈥檚 Dental Hygiene Clinic continues to serve the community year-round. The clinic is an educational facility where Dental Hygiene students provide high-quality oral health care under the supervision of licensed dentists and registered dental hygienists.

Couldn鈥檛 make it to Smile Camp? The 国产主播 Dental Hygiene Clinic is open to the public Monday through Friday, offering no-cost services to more than 15,000 adult and child patients a year.

The 国产主播 Dental Hygiene Clinic is located at 1477 S Manchester Ave., Anaheim, CA, 92802 (Fourth Floor). Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, call (877) 928-2546.聽

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